The Great Veg Biryani Debate: Is It Truly Just A Fancy Pulao? Separating Facts From Fiction

What a joke, “Veg Biryani!” “It’s just fancy pulao.” You are not the only one. For years, the battle to save veg biryani has been raging. People in India are divided on their views about vegetable biryani or pulao. We are here, dear reader, to clear up any confusion you may have had your whole life. The pulao and biryani are two different dishes! This article will help you to understand the differences between the two dishes. Continue reading.

What is Veg Biryani? What Is Veg Biryani?

According to historians, biryani is derived from the Persian words ‘brian,’ meaning ‘fried rice,’ and boring, which means ‘fried rice before cooking.’ biryani has undergone many regional variations in India over the years. What remained the same was rice, meat sauteed in a variety of spices, and many flavors.

As biryani became more popular, a new version was created: veg-biryani. This is made from long-grain basmati rice, lots of vegetables and herbs, as well as the classic biryani masala.

What is Pulao? Can Pulao Be Non-Vegetarian?

According to a book by food historian K.T Achaya entitled ‘Indian Food Traditions: A Historical Companion,’ Mahabharata refers to a dish that combines rice and meat, called ‘pulao or ‘pallao. Oxford Dictionary says that pulao, which is similar to Turkish pilaf and includes meat, is a dish.

In India, however, the vegetarian version of Pulao has become a mainstay in Indian cuisine. The traditional Indian pulao meal is made with aromatic rice, ghee, and spices. You can also add vegetables or dry fruits.

What are the differences between Veg Biryani and Pulao?

1. Origin:

Biryani, as mentioned above, has a Persian background and is derived from the words ‘birian and birinj’. According to historian K.T Achaya, the origin of pulao could be ancient India.

2. Cooking Process

The perfect pulao meal is made in one pot, with all ingredients cooked together. To make biryani, you must use the “dum” technique to combine all the flavors. The rice and vegetables/meat are cooked separately, and then dum is added to give it flavor and texture. There is a variation known as kacchi biryani, where the rice and all the other ingredients are cooked together in a single pot.

3. Ingredients:

Rice, spices, and vegetables are all that are needed for both veg biryanis and pulao. If you dig deeper, the herbs will be very different. Herbs used in pulao, however, are milder. When preparing pulao, experts prefer to use whole spices.

4. Taste:

Simply put, biryani is a healthy meal in and of itself. It can be eaten as it is or paired with condiments such as raita, burani, or salan to cleanse your palate. For a traditional pulao, you will need some gravy-based side dish to make a meal.

5. Texture:

Pulao has a texture that is more uniform, and the grains of rice are kept separate. Due to the use of heavy spices, biryani can become mushier, combining all the herbs and vegetables.